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Treasure hunting is an exciting outdoor activity. It is a fun thing to do even if you didn’t find the goodies.
In order to start your expedition, you need to gather as much information as you can about the treasure. This will increase your chances of finding it.
This article is about lost treasures that can be hidden somewhere in Colorado.
Good luck finding them!
Table of Contents
Forrest Fenn treasure
It is a chest that was loaded with gold nuggets, coins, jewelry, and other artifacts. The treasure value is estimated to be around $2 million.
It was hidden by the millionaire Forrest Fenn somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. According to Fenn, the treasure could be hidden in Colorado.
Forrest Fenn was a pilot who served in the US air force. After retirement, he became an art dealer. He was selling native Americans artifacts, paintings, and other types of relics.
The business was successful. He was making $6 million per year. In 1988, he was diagnosed with cancer.
He thought that he has slim chances to recover, but, he survived. This is what inspired him to start this treasure hunt.
He hid a chest somewhere in the Rockies. It could be in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana. To find it you have to decipher a poem. It has nine clues.
In addition to the poem, Forrest Fenn gives us more clues from time to time.
For example, he said that the treasure is hidden between 5,000 feet and 10,200 feet above sea level. He also said, he didn’t bury it, he hid it.
The chest is made from wood and covered with bronze. It weighs 40 pounds. And it was hidden somewhere between 2008 and 2010.
He said that no special tools are required to recover the treasure. He was 80 years old when he started this adventure. So it should be within reach to anyone.
You don’t have to climb or to dive. And it is within walking distance from a road or a trail.
It is meant to make people enjoy outdoor activities with their families. And encourage kids to stay away from the indoor gaming consoles and enjoy their time.
Tom’s baby nugget
In addition to man-made treasures, you can find natural treasures like large gold nuggets in Colorado.
If you have some knowledge of the history of this state, I think you are familiar with the term Pike’s Peak Gold Rush.
The Colorado gold rush was one of the largest in northern America. It started in 1858 and it ended in 1861.
Around 100,000 people traveled to this area. All of them have one goal: strike it rich.
Gold can be found in many locations like the South Platte River, in the Clear Creek Canyon near the mountains west of Golden city, and near Breckenridge…
The Pike’s Peak lasted only for three years. The easy to reach gold was gone. During this era, primitive mining technics were used.
Certainly, some nuggets were left behind. In 1887, two lucky miners (Tom Groves and Harry Lytton) discovered the largest nugget in Colorado’s history.
It weighs 13.5 pounds before the impurities were removed with acid. The nugget was discovered near Breckenridge.
Before taking it to the town to sell it, Tom wrapped in a blanket and he carried it like a baby, hence the name.
This unique specimen is displayed at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The discovery was made 16 years after the gold rush ended.
The two miners did nothing more than drilling and blasting their way through the rocks. They used simple tools like hammers. Imagine what you can find with today’s technology.
Heavy machinery became more advanced. Miners can also use handheld electronic devices to detect gold.
Colorado Treasure legends
These are some of Colorado’s treasure tales. They are listed to be debunked.
Irish Canyon treasure
This canyon was one of the favorite hideouts for Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch. Some think that he hid some of his loots there. But, there is no way to confirm such a thing.
This tale is based on speculations. Maybe he spent the money. These folks can spend a lot in one night.
They probably buried the cash there. But, I didn’t find any evidence for that.
For those who don’t know Butch Cassidy, he is an outlaw who was born in 1866 and died in 1908. He robbed thousands of dollars from trains and banks. In one of his heists, he stole $500,000.
Lost dimes treasures
This legend has many names. It started in 1907 and it is about a train carrying barrels of coins. It was heading from the Denver Mint to Arizona.
But it didn’t reach its destination. It is said to be lost somewhere near Montrose, Colorado. Some say bandits attacked it. Others say it crashed.
I checked the list of rail accidents from 1900 to 1909. And I couldn’t find such a thing. Even if the train crashed, another team will arrive and they will recover the freshly minted coins.
I also couldn’t find any newspaper (online) about a train robbery in 1907. And I’m sure such a thing never happened.
If it did, the treasure is already taken by the bandits and it is no longer there.
Spanish Cave of gold
It is a cave located more than 12,000 feet above the sea level on the Marble Mountains in Colorado.
There are rumors that Spanish conquistadors came to this cave to extract gold. But they didn’t take it all. There is more gold deep within the cave.
Do you know who is the source of this fact?
A Mexican Woman from Westcliffe! Who used to play there when she was a little girl!
Apparently, the author of this legend didn’t visit the treasure’s location before making it up.
Exploring this cave isn’t for amateurs. You need to know it well so that you don’t get lost. It is located high in the mountain and it is covered, most of the time, with snow.
You can find more details about this cave here.
I only listed three legends. However, there are more of them. And I don’t want to waste my time with bedtime stories.
As a general rule of thumb. If you find words like a long time ago, somewhere, a man, it is rumored… then this story is a myth. Forget about it. Don’t waste your time chasing illusions.
Treasure hunt safely
Treasure hunting is an outdoor activity. You need to learn certain skills before commencing your expedition.
If there is a treasure in Colorado, it should be buried in a remote location. This is what people do if they want to protect their valuable belongings. They hide them out of anybody’s reach.
You have to bring all the necessary gear with you. Don’t forget to bring enough water and food. And be ready for emergencies.
Plan your trip well and check weather conditions (I know the weather forecast is boring, but it is necessary).
Don’t forget to tell a friend or a family member about your destination. You can leave a note on your desk.
Read more
Top 5 largest surviving gold nuggets [infographic]